A nation divided or united? A question in the minds of many. Ever since the birth of this country, which came through a bloody nine month liberation war, the country has been polarized on each and every front, starting from affairs at home and abroad to handing out the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Mohammad Yunus, one of the revered sons of this soil.

It seems the Arab spring is not only restricted to the Arab world but has traveled east and has hit Bangladesh. Today the entire nation is up on its feet, to demand justice, to get justice. What started as a movement by few bloggers on line, is gathering pace and momentum. But this also is not without its deeply divided polarization. The people protesting at Shahbag square, the city’s one of few important junctions, political parties are trying to reap its benefits. But they are not able to sway the movement and give it a political color. The people who gathered are people from all walks of life with one single demand “persons who was responsible for such atrocities and crimes against humanity during the liberation war of 1971, must face exemplary punishment, the punishment being the death penalty.”

I have not been fortunate enough to join the liberation forces of 1971 because I had not been born then. I was resting away in a far away land waiting to take my bow and grace this precious land. Such precious and fertile land, unparalleled to any other place, at least according to 16 crore people. My father was a freedom fighter. Should I use was? He is still alive so he is still a freedom fighter. He may have a different political identity now then what he fought with, but he is still as passionate about his country as any of us. I remember having long discussions which ran late into the night on the liberation war, how he got involved, how he took training in India and the after math of the war. He tore his certificate of recognition of being a freedom fighter in absolute frustration of seeing the country going in the wrong direction after the liberation war. Many people did. The country has had its worst turmoil in the years after the war.

The country in 2013 is facing similar dilemma on the political front. The collaborators whohave joined hands with the then Pakistan Army and killed innocent and unarmed Bangalees are being tried for their crimes against humanity. The government has dragged this trial into clouds of controversy ever since they started the trial. Some of the incidences seemed preplanned. Some were utterly stupid. Nonetheless when the verdict was out, the entire nation was at shock and stand still. How can a man, accused of killing hundreds get acquitted in one case and face life imprisonment in five others which were proved beyond doubt. Thus started the protests, sit in and agitation programs at now what is known as “Projonmo Chottor” meaning square of new generation.

Thousands from all walks of life come and announce their allegiance to the cause of the youth movement. All of us can just pray and hope that the movement continues and does not die a slow death. The killers must be brought to book, even after 42 years of waiting.